By Reverend Quinton W Liebenberg, Columnist
At the last session of the Boland Annual Conference, the circuits and stations report brought about changes that would change and impact the landscape of the historic Worcester District. Based on parity and inclusion, the Worcester District, with its 14 stations, was split into two, now known as the Worcester District, and the second group called the Charlotte Maxeke District. The former district was assigned to presiding elder Anthony J Jacobs and the latter to Presiding Elder Sydney M Mtamo. Both had about eight stations. Apart from all the talks about the reasons for and relevance for this separation, this article will highlight two unique celebrations that overshadowed the reasons for and relevance of separation.
On 8-9 March, the new Worcester District with its eight charges assembled at RJ Davids, Memorial AMEC De Wet, just 5 kilometers outside of Worcester. The conference was hosted by presiding elder Audrey Ngamlana and the people of De Wet. The uniqueness of this event was that in its planning, the conference celebrated through a surprise party the 50th active year in the itinerant ministry of the Reverend Christy W Coetzee. Fifty years ago, in this Worcester district, the Reverend Coetzee answered the call to preach and entered the itinerant ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. And now, after travelling extensively over two episcopal districts, namely the 19th and 15th, by God’s grace. The reverend now has come full circle and celebrated this milestone in the same Worcester district where he once applied some 50 years ago. The Reverend Coezee gave thanks to God for grace, immense blessings, and favor in his life, ministry, and calling to be of service. Presiding elder Jacobs felt that since this was a huge milestone, the reverend must also be the preacher for the closing service of the district conference. The delegation and congregants assembled were indeed blessed. Rev Coetzee gave the title of his sermon: Don quit. Herein, he shared much of his experiences and reminded the district that quitting is never an option. The official celebration will still be organized by the local church, and we will share more details as it unfolds.
Likewise, in the newly formed Charlotte Maxeke district, a unique celebration was also held. On 15-16 March, the new Charlotte Maxeke District, comprising of the former seven churches of the Worcester District, held a “Black-Tie Gala Dinner,” with the first Charlotte Maxeke Lecture presented by the Reverend Quinton Liebenberg. Charlotte Maxeke, the Iconic founding member of the AME Church in South Africa and the forerunner in the liberation struggle within the African National Congress in South Africa, has made lasting impressions. Although she is not widely celebrated within the 15th Episcopal District, her contributions are slowly being recognized. Under the leadership of Presiding elder Mtamo and his first lady Phyllis Mtamo, hosted by the Reverend Cedric and First Lady Calin Jansen, the District was dressed in formal wear to mark the celebration of the life and legacy of Charlotte Manye Maxeke. “Maxeke was the first in many aspects: the first black woman in Africa to have a degree; a BSc participant in the king’s court under King Sabata Dalindyebo, to write on the social and political situation of women; the first woman to challenge the pass laws; and was the founder of the Bantu Women’s League in 1918, considered to be the forerunner of the African National Congress Women’s League. She is also the person responsible for bringing the African Methodist Episcopal Church to South Africa. Charlotte became one of the pioneers of the South African AMEC. She served on the missionary committee and was invited to give talks on missionary work at the AMEC conferences. She was also elected president of the Women’s Missionary Society.”
Three major lessons could be drawn from this iconic leader, namely (1) Whatever one does must be in a dignified manner; (2) Leaders should be amongst their people; and (3) if you rise, bring someone with you. These are the timeless truths excavated from her life in the latest publication of the author Zubeida Jaffer called Becoming Charlotte 2024. This district is challenged to follow the strong foundation laid by Charlotte in her lifetime and replicate these timeless truths.
These and so much more are the possibilities. Since the arrival of bishop Belin, he has been focused on putting the family first and giving attention to his episcopacy campaign motto, “Building Bridges.” The fear of separating the Worcester district with its huge historical relevance was indeed a perspective that was in the minds of many. The bishop took the first step by acknowledging the possibilities when new boundaries are created. The conference’s willingness to adopt this new challenge, coupled with the bishop’s vision of inclusion and parity, made two new districts, each existing in their own right and at their first district conference celebrating icons within the AME Church. One such icon is the living testimony of senior pastor, the Reverend Christy Coetzee, and another is the celebration of the lifetime legacy of Charlotte Manye Maxeke. In both of these celebrated icons, we draw on one universal truth: Never quit! Life holds too many possibilities.
